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October 6th, 2010

One exhibition game into his NBA career, Cousins justified the excitement.

The Kings’ first-round pick had 16 points and 16 rebounds in a 109-95 win over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night at Arco.

“I thought DeMarcus gave us everything we’re looking for in the post on both ends of the floor,” Kings coach Paul Westphal said after the exhibition opener for both teams. “He showed why we think so highly of him. And if he ever gets in shape, he’ll really be able to do a lot.”

Cousins’ conditioning was criticized before the Kings drafted him fifth overall in June.

Cousins averaged just 23.5 minutes in his lone season at Kentucky. He played 29 minutes, 47 seconds against the Suns.

Cousins made 8 of 13 shots. Five of his rebounds were offensive rebounds.

But when Pistons coach John Kuester picked his starter at power forward for Tuesday night’s exhibition opener against the Heat, he turned to last season’s All-NBA rookie second teamer, Jonas Jerebko, to join fellow starters Ben Wallace, Rodney Stuckey, Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince.

That’s not surprising, considering Jerebko quickly established himself last season as a willing defender and rebounder and was a burgeoning offensive presence as the season progressed.

Jerebko’s next starting assignment will not be any time soon. He left the game in the first quarter with a shoulder injury and also suffered an injury to his right Achilles during the Heat’s 105-89 victory. His status will be in doubt for at least the time being.

Kuester, who is entering his second season, said in pregame comments that he will reserve the right to experiment with lineups during the exhibition season.

The Big 3 were together for merely three minutes. LeBron James and Chris Bosh more than picked up the slack after Dwyane Wade’s preseason debut came to a quick end.

And with that, this era for the Miami Heat got off to a promising, but not perfect, start.

James and Bosh combined for 38 points in their exhibition debuts, and the Heat easily beat the Detroit Pistons 105-89 in the preseason opener for both teams Tuesday night.

“It was something I’ve waited for all summer,” James said. “To be able to be back on the court, it was great. The reception from the fans was awesome and it was great we were able to give them the same energy that they gave us.”

The outcome was meaningless, but the game wasn’t for Miami — not after Wade limped off just 3:17 into the game with a strained right hamstring. He went into the locker room shortly afterward, did not return, and could miss up to two weeks. Wade expects to be back long before the Oct. 26 regular-season opener in Boston.